Football Fans Reminded to Designate a Driver on Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend and, according to Gary Fernandez, the Public Affairs Officer for the California Highway Patrol, CHP wants to make sure your game plan includes designating a non-drinking driver before the big game. Last year, 12 people were killed in alcohol-involved collisions on Super Bowl Sunday – three times the daily average in California. These deaths were in addition to the 167 people injured in alcohol-related crashes throughout the state. “We’re not discouraging the celebration,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “We’re asking fans to make the right call, so they won’t find themselves benched in a jail cell.” CHP officers statewide arrested 403 motorists for driving under the influence (DUI) on Super Bowl Sunday last year. This year the CHP will be deploying special DUI patrols across the state to lower alcohol-involved deaths and injuries. According to Tiffany Swantek of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station, our local Sheriff’s Department will be fully staffed with patrol deputies for the weekend and will have two extra units assigned specifically to traffic related violations. Anyone who is 21 or older who has a blood alcohol content of .08% is considered to be under the influence and will be subject to arrest if driving. Under 21, of course, the limit is 0. Under the influence includes driving while impaired by narcotics use which limit is also 0. Law enforcement invites the public to help by calling 911 to report a suspected drunk driver. Callers should be prepared to provide dispatchers with a description of the vehicle, its location and direction of travel. And another word of advice, in addition to designating a driver, the CHP encourages motorists to wear a seat belt and comply with the speed limit.